Valve structure



oct-29,1940. @,TDQWNEY' i '2,219,982

VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 27, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l1 51 v a@ Jr* w George 1' en/ne] C. 2Q?? 940. l l Q Tl DQWNEY 27,219,982`

VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 27, 1958 3 Sheets-Shea?I 2 barge I en/ey Patented Oct. 29, 1940 Parri-:lar` OFFICE.-

'i VALVE STRUCTURE s A George T. Downey, Corry, Pa., assignor to Aero Supply Manufacturing Co., Inc., Corry, Pa.

Application December 27, 193s, serial No. 247,909

claims.

The invention relates to valve structures and This invention is an improvement over the fuel cock assembly embodied in my copending applications Serial Nos. 216,411 and 216,412, led June 28, 1938, which eventuated respectively in Letters Patent No. 2,164,232, June 27, 1939, and

LettersPatent No. 2,159,845, May 23, 1939.

An object of this inventionis to provide an improved valve structure for' connecting a plurality of fuel supply tanks or sources with a common fuel outlet so that a selected one of the fuel supply sources may be connected withv the fuel outlet.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a valve structure of this kind wherein a plurality :zo of tappet valves are adapted to be used, a selected one of the tappet valvesv being held in open position for connecting a selected fuel source with an outlet which is connected to an internal combustion engine.

A further object o f this invention is to provide in a valve structure of this kind an improved means for holding the selected valve in open position, the means eliminating the usual detents which are at present used for Vselectively holding A still further object of this invention is to provide a simplified valve structure wherein the tension on the valves acts as a means for holding the valve operator in operative position relative to the selected valve which is being maintained in an open position.

vTo the foregoing objects and toothers which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown embodiments of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 isa detail rear 'elevation of a valve assembly constructed according to an embodiment of this invention, y

Figure 2 'is an enlarged sectionalvlew taken on the line2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 ls a. detail side elevation ofthe as.- Sembly,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken lon the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of valve structure,

Figure 6 is a planview of a spring seat for the 5 valve shown in Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a horizontal view taken through a further modification of the invention,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-,8 of Figure 7, l0

Figure 9 is a detail end elevation of the cam operator for the valve disclosed in Figures '7 and 8, and

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line I-IU of Figure 9. l5

Referring-to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates generally a housing which is provided with a centrally disposed fuel or liquid chamber II. The housing I0 is provided with a plurality of radially disposedintake chambers I2 and a 20 port I3 provides communication between the central chamber II and the radial .chambers I2.

A valve seat I4 is provided at the outer end of the port I3 and a valvev member I5 is adapted to engage on the seat I4. The valve member I5 25 comprises a plate I6 having a reduced outer portion I 'l and a stern I8 is secured to the head I6 and projects inwardly through the port I3 in a direction radial of the chamber I I. A gasket I9 isi disposed `on the under side of the valve plate 30 member I 6 and is held in operative position by means of an inner plate 20 which is detachably held in clamping position by means of a ring 2l engaging in a peripheral groove 22 provided in the stem I8. In this manner the gasket I9 may 35 be removed for replacement by opening the ring 2| and removing the plate 20.

'I'he valve member I5 is yieldably held against the seat I4 by means of a spring 23 which at its inner end engages about the reduced portion I'l 40 and at its outer end engages about a ange 24 carried by a plate 25. The plate 25 is provided with a central opening 26 through which the fuel is adapted to pass: The chamberv I2 adjacent the outer portion thereof is provided with an inner groove'21 in which a split ring 28 is adapted to releasably engage.v The ring 28 bears against the outerside of the plate l25 and holds the plate 25 againstoutward movement.

'I'he housing I0 may beprovided with any de- 50 sired number of intake chambers I2 with a valve. I5 for each chamber and where the housing I0 is provided with more intake chambers I2 than arerequired a closure plate -29 is adapted to be Sellred as by bolts or screws 30 to the outer end 55 34 to the desired chambers I2 andthe corinecting member 32 isprovided with interior threads 35 to receive one end of a fuel pipeline or'other connection. The connecting member 32 as shown in Figure 4 has a relatively short extension 36 which projects interiorly of the chamber I2.` The l axis of the connecting member 32 is coplanar with the axis of the opening 2 6 in the plate 25 so that fuel can pass through the connecting member 32 and then into the chamber I2.

The housing I isprovided in one side thereof with a detachable outlet member 31 which is provided with a flange 38 secured to the adjacent side of the housing I0 by means of bolts or screws 39. The outlet member 31 is provided with a threaded central opening 40 which is coaxial with the chamber II. A gasket 4I is interposed between the iiange 38 and the adjacent side of the housing I0. As shown in Figure 2, a threaded plug 42 may initially be inserted in the threaded opening 40 of the outlet member 31, but when the valve assembly is in use the plug 42` will be removed and a connecting pipe connecting the outlet member 31 with an internal combustion engine is adapted to be threaded into the outlet member 31. The plug 42 is provided for the purpose of preventing foreign'matter from entering the interior of the valve assembly during the shipment and initial mounting of the device in the desired position.

'IVhe housing IIJ is provided with a plurality of radially disposed bosses 43 having openings 44 through which attaching bolts or the like may be extended for the purpose of attaching the housing I0 4on a suitable support. The housing l0 may be mounted in either a horizontal or a vertical position depending only on the character of support to which the housing is attached.

A cage member 45 is disposed within the fuel chamber II and the inner end of the cage member 45 seats within an annular seat or reduced portion 46 provided in the chamber I I.

disposed bosses 41 having a guide opening 48 therethrough for slidably receiving avalve stern I8. 'I'he stem I8 projects entirely through the cage member 45 and the inner end of each stem with the gasket 4I as shown in Figure 2 and pre1'- erably, the cage member 45 is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the major portion of thechamber I I as shown in Figures 2 and 4 so that the/liquid passing through the port I3 may freely enter the chamber Il and then pass .out of this chamber through the outlet port 40.

A valve controlling or operating shaft 50 is allel arms 53 between which a portion of a handle is adapted to be secured as set forth in my copending applications. The shaft 50 has a reduced portion-.54 at its inner end which rotatably engages through a bushing or bearing member V 5 carried by a spider 56. `The spider 56 is provided with an annular rim 51 engaging within the in- The cage member45 is provided .with a plurality of radially j position. .I8 is provided with a krounded. ,or substantially semi-spherical portion 49. The outer end of the g cage member 45 is disposed in contacting relation terior of the cage 45 and the spider 66 abuts against a shoulder 58' provided in the cage 45 at one side of the stems I8 as shown in Figure 2.

-The reduced portion`54 of the shaft 50 is pro- -vided with `threads to receive a holding nut 59 which may be locked by means of a cotter pin 60.

The shaft 50 is provided interiorly of the chamber II with a peripheral iiange 6I against which the cylindrical portion 62 of a cup-shapedmember 63 is adapted'to engage.` A gasket 64 is interposed between the inner face of the boss 5l and the cup 63`being positioned about the shaft 50. A spring 65 is positioned about the ange or enlarged portion 6I and at its 'outer end engages against the cup member 63 and at its inner end engages against an aperturedv abutment plate 66 the inner face of the cage-member 45. The plate 66 is held in the desired position by means of a split ring or holding member 61 engaging in an annular groove 68 providedlin the cage member 45. The plate 66 also acts as a means to protect the member 63, gasket 64 vand spring 15 from the fluid entering the chamber I I.

The shaft member 50 is provided with a reduced portion 69 on whichv a cam member 10 is secured as by a pin or fastening member 1I. The cam member is provided with a substantially V-shaped cam portion 12 in the peak of which an arcuate groove or recess 13 is positioned. The groove or recess 13 is provided in order to receive the rounded end portion 49 of a stem I 8 in order to hold the cam member 10 land the shaft 50 against rotation. The tension of the spring 23 will hold the stem I8 in the recess or groove 13 and thus yieldably hold the shaft 50 against rotation. i

The cage member 45 is provided with a boss 14 between a selected pair of bosses 41 in which a cylindrical or a cup-shaped member is slidable. The cup-shaped member 15 is provided which encompasses the shaft 50 and bears against with a rounded inner end portion 16 projecting interiorly of the cage and a spring 11 engages within the cup-shaped member 15 and against the adjacent wall of the fuel chamber II. The

"cup-shaped member 15 with 'the Ahead or inner end portion 16 comprises a stop or holding member which is adapted to engage in the recess 13 of the cam 10 for-holding the shaft 50 in a'position where all of the valves I5 are in a closed In Figure 5 there is disclosed a modiedfo'rmof. valve structure wherein the housing I 0a is pro-j4 vided with a -fuel port I2a and an outwardly ope'nv ing valve I.6a isadapted to engage a valve seat I'4a. The valvemember I6a is provided with a valve-stem I8a. slidable through a cage memben 45a andis spring pressed to a closed position by means of a springfs25a. In-.the present instance, the spring 25a isrelatively small in diameter and at its outer -end engages in ay spring seat member 18 `which is constructed. in the form of a spider provided withla plate 19 having aplurality of inwardly projecting arms 8l)A andyradially disposed arms 8| project outwardly'fromithe'- arms 80. Right angularlyfand outwardly projecting arms 82 are integral with the extensions 8| and terminate in lateral extensions 83 which engage against a holdingring 28a`."1n this formthe fluid is not adapted to pass through the convolutions of the spring as in the constrction shown in Figures 2 and 4. A- flanged connector 32a is mounted in the port I2a and where a particular Iport I2a is not in use,"a plug 84 is adapted to be connected to the connector 32a. In otherV respects outer end of the boss |03 so that the ain holding member comprising the sleeve |02 and the head.

the valve structure shown in Figure 5 is similar to the construction shown in Figures 2 and 4.

In Figures '7 to 10 inclusive, there is'disclosed provided with a port b in which a pipe mayv be mounted and connected to a suitable source of fuel supply'or if desired, may be connected to a source: of fuel consumption such as an internal combustion engine. The housing |01) is provided With a plurality of radially arranged fuel chambers |2b in which connectors 32h are adapted to be mounted and these connectors are provided with a fuel passage 35h. The inner end of each connector 32h is provided with a valve seat 85 against which a valve member 86' is adapted to engage. The valve member 86 is sismilar to the valve member I6 with the exception that the gasket 81 is on the outer end of the valve member 86 and the gasket, 81 is held against the the cage member 93 similar to the cage 45 and a spring 94 engagesabout the boss 92 and against the inner side of the Valve member 86; The Spring 94 constantly urges the valvemember 86 outwardly to a valve closing position.

The inner end of the valve stem 90 has mount-.s ed thereon a semispherical nut or head' 95 which may be threaded or otherwise mounted on the stem 90 and held in adjusted position by a cotter pin or lock member 96. A selected valve mem- `bei 86 is held in open position by Ameans of a valve operating cam generally designated as 9:1 and which is mounted on an operating shaft 98 journalled in the housing I 0b. The cam member 91 is constructed in the form of a truncated `tion of the nut 95 is adapted to* slide over the outer arcuate surface of a passage |00 and when` the nut member 95 is positioned at the convergent` end of the V-shaped passage |00, the nut member 95 is adapted to seat on an arcuate seat |0| which is provided at the apex of the passager |00. In this manner the cam `91 will be maintained by the tension of the spring 94 in a valve opening position until the shaft-9|i has been turned so as to release the nut 95 from the cam 91.

The cam member 91 is held in a released position by means of a holdingmember in the form of a sleeve or tubular member |02 whichis slidable through a `boss |03 formed in the cage 93. The sleeve |02 has a head or cam engaging member |04 on the inner end thereof similar to the configuration of the nuts95 and is adapted to be pulled inwardly against the tension of a spring |05. The spring |05 has its inner end secured to a pin |06 mounted across the inner end of the sleeve |02 and a second pin |01 is mounted through an eye provided in the outer end of the spring |05 and is adapted to engage against the |04 will be constantly urged outwardly. The head |04 is adapted toengage the seat |0| in the cam 91 and yieldably hold the cam 91 against rotation and inreleased position.

'I'he housing |0b has a plate 66h mounted within the cage 93 which engages against a ring 6111 similar to 'the ring .61. A cup-shaped sealing member 63h is mounted about the shaft 98 ,and is yieldably urged outwardly` by a spring 65h. A gasket 64b is mounted about the shaft 98 and is held in as'ealed position by the tension on the cup 6312 whichvis arranged between spring 65.

The valve structure disclosed in Figures 2, 4, 7 and 8 may be used to connect a plurality of fluid supply sources with a common outlet, but if desired the outlet described as 40 or'40b may be connected to a fuel source with the flow of the liquid reversed and the ports I2 4and |2b forming outlets which are adapted to be connected to internal combustion engines. Where this is done the common port 40 or 40h may be enlarged suinciently to compensate for the reverse flow of fluid so that the common intake port will be large enough to maintain the valvei chamber or ||b lled at all times. s

-It will also be understood ythat where the flow of liquid'is reversed and it is desired to connect one or more radial ports with the axial port, the

valve operating cam may be enlarged to provide means for operating two ormore of the valves at the same time. Where this is done, the position of the cam holding member or stop may be changed from the position in Figures 4 and 7 so that in one position the multiple cam will be maintained in a released position.

In the use and operation of the valve assembly shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, the cam member 10 is turned by means of the shaft 50 to a position similar to that-shown in Figure 4 where s the inner grounded end 49 of a'valve stem |8 is seated in the arcuate seat 13 of the cam 10. The

connector 31 may be connected to an internal combustion engine where this connector is used as an outlet and a selected number of intake members or chambers l2 lare connected to the several sources of fuel supply. The fuel will ow through the connectorv 32 and through the opened valve port thence through the cage 45 and out through the-outlet port 40. Where the ow of vfuelv is reversed -the -fuel will enter through the port 40, pass through the cage 45 and then through the selected radial port |2.

Where the valve structure shown in Figures 7. to 10 inclusive is used,vthe rotation of the shaft 98 to a valve opening position will cause the lcam 91 to pull the selected valve member` 86 to an` open position as shown in Figures '7 and 8 and in this position the nut will s eat `on the arcuate seat 0|.

The cam member 91 as with the cam member 10 will be held against rotation by the tensionI "of the spring 94.- They valve structure shown in Figures rI to 10 inclusive may be used with the I65 Y radial ports 12b forming intake ports andthev is adapted to maintain one ormore of the valve members 86 in an open position at the same time.

` The valves hereinbefore described are particu# larly designed for -airplane constructions where a number of fuel tanks are connected to the engines and selected ones of the tanks are operatively connected with the engines so as to drain thefuel from the selected tanks. These valves as herinbefore stated may also be used for operating a plurality of engines from a common fuel source. This latter procedure may be effected by merely reversing the flow of liquid through the valve/ structure.

What I claim is:

1. A valve structure comprising a housing provided with a fluid chamber, a plurality of radially arranged intake ports and a common outlet port communicating with said chamber, a valve seat in each of said intake ports, a spring-pressed valve for each seat, an annular cage within said chamber, a one piece'continuous stem carried by each valve slidable through said cage, the inner terminal portion of each stem being rounded throughout and positioned interiorly of said cage, a valve operating shaft journaled axially of said cage, a cam member fixed to said shaft and engageable with a selected stem to hold a selected valve in open position, said cam having an arcuate recess in the peak thereof within which the rounded inner terminal portion vof a stem is adapted to engage, the selected valve yieldingly holding said shaft against rotation, said shaft having a peripheral flange intermediate its ends, a gasket encompassing said shaft ai Ld abutting an end wall of said chamber, a holding member in s aid chamber about said ,shaft abutting said gasket and one end of said flange, a spring about said flange and member having oneend abutting one end of said member', a circular upstanding axially apertured combined abutment and protecting plate mounted on said ange in coaxial relation having its inner edge snugly engaging the flange and its outer edge snugly engaging the inner face of said cage, said plate abutting the other end of said spring and protecting the latter and the holding member from the fluid entering saidchamber, saidv cage having an annular groove interiorly thereof, and a split-ring in said groove engaging said plate to hold said plate against inward movement.

2. A valve structure comprising a housing provided with a plurality of radial fluid ports and a chamber common to all of said ports, said housing also having an axial port communicating with said chamber, a valve seat for each radial port, a spring-pressed poppet valve engageable on a seat, saidvalve including an inwardly extending stem, a cylindrical cage insaid chamber, valve stem guide bosses carried by said cage, a shaft journaled in said housing, an internal bearing for said shaft, means removably engaging in said cage supporting said bearing coaxial of said cage, a cam member carried by said shaft, said cam member being engageable with a selected stem to thereby move a valve to open position, said cam member and said stems including coacting means .'for yieldably holding the cam against rotation. y

linwardly projecting stem carried by each valve, a

cylindrical cage snugly engaging in vsaid id 10 chamber, valve stem guides carried by said cage,

posed axially of said cage, a stemengaging cam carried by said shaft, an annulus removably engaging in said cage, a shaft bearing carried by said annulus, and a coupling member for said axial port, said coupling member comprising an annular body snugly engaging within an end of said cage, said body having a threaded axial bore, a flange carried by said body and means detachably securing said flange on said housing.

4. A valve structure comprising a housing provided with a plurality of radial fluid ports and a chamber common to all of said ports, said housa shaft rotatably carried by said housing and dising also having an axial port communicating with 25 said chamber, a valve seat for each radial port, a spring-pressed poppet valve for each seat, an inwardly projecting stem carried by each Valve, a cylindrical cage snugly engaging in said uid chamber, valve stem guides carried by said cage, 30

a shaft rotatably carried by said housingV and disposed axially of said cage a'stem engaging cam carried by' said shaft, an annulus Vremovably engaging in said cage, a shaft bearing carried by said annulus, a coupling member for said axial port, said coupling member comprising an annular body snugly engaging within an end of said cage, said body having a threaded axial bore, a flange carried by said body and means detachably securing said ange on said housing, a coupling member for each radial lport comprising an annular internally threaded body snugly engaging in a radial port, a flange carried by each of said latter bodies and threaded means detachably securing said latter flanges on the outer end of a radial port.

5.' A valve structure comprising a housing provided with a plurality of radial fluid ports and a chamber common to all of said ports, said housing also having an axial port communicating with said chamber, a valve seat for each radial port, a spring-pressed poppet valve engageable on a seat, said valve including an inwardlyextending stem, a cylindrical cage in said chamber, valve stem guide bosses carried by said cage, a shaft journalled in said housing, an internal bearing for said shaft, an annular shoulder formed in saidcage inwardly of an end thereof, an annulus secured to said bearing and engaging within said cage against said shoulder for supporting said bearing coaxial of said cage, a cam member carried by said shaft, said cam member being engageable with a selected stem to thereby move a valve to open position, said cam member and said stems including coacting means for yieldably holding the cam against rotation.

- GEORGE T. DOWNEY.

lili 

